CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) – Houston Coach Kelvin Sampson is aware of there is a variety of paintings forward for his sixth-ranked Cougars, despite the fact that they retain profitable.
Senior guard LJ Cryer scored 14 issues, together with a couple of 3-pointers after Utah had burnt up the sixth-ranked Cougars’ 14-point lead, and Houston beat the Utes 76-66 within TD Arena on Friday to succeed in the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic championship recreation.
“My kids found a way to win. We didn’t shoot the ball well tonight. We didn’t make free throws,” Sampson mentioned. “Sometimes the culture of your program, your DNA, knows how to win games like this.”
The Cougars shot 33% on 3s (8-of-24) and made handiest part in their 24 loose throws. Still, they used the past due rally to fortify to 5-0 for the second one instantly season and achieve the identify recreation towards Dayton on Sunday evening.
“We’re still finding our way,” Sampson mentioned. “But a game like today is what tournament play is about. You’ve got to get outside the box.”
The Utes trailed 50-36 in the second one part earlier than Gabe Madsen hit 3 of his 8 3-pointers all the way through a 20-6 run to tie it at 56-all with seven mins left.
Sophomore guard Terrance Arceneaux broke the tie with a bucket earlier than Cryer, a Baylor switch, hit two from past the arc to place the Cougars forward 64-58. Utah would no longer rally once more.
Madsen completed with a career-high 29 issues for Utah (3-1), and Branden Carlson scored 17.
Sophomore guard Emanuel Sharp led the Cougars with 15 issues, and senior level guard Jamal Shead had 14 issues with six rebounds, 5 assists and 3 steals. Senior ahead J’Wan Roberts had his first double-double of the season with 13 issues and 12 rebounds.
Utah used to be coming off a 77-70 win over Wake Forest in Thursday’s opening spherical that incorporated a career-high 31 issues from Carlson.
The Utes had been forward 16-15 on Carlson’s basket with 12:14 to move. Houston replied with a 24-14 run the remainder of the part to steer 39-30 on the damage.
BIG PICTURE
Utah: The Utes’ dimension will give Pac-12 groups a variety of suits this season. They function a couple of 7-footers in Carlson and Lawson Lovering and feature 8 avid gamers at 6-foot-7 or taller. Houston’s pace and protection stored Utah from taking complete good thing about its dimension.
Houston: The Cougars are breaking in new avid gamers, together with Cryer, who helped Baylor to a countrywide identify as a freshman. Sampson mentioned he used to be drawing up performs down the stretch as a result of all of the new faces who’re unfamiliar with the Cougar means. Playing 3 video games in 4 days – the event takes Saturday off in deference to university soccer – will have to assist the bonding procedure.
ON THE ROAD
Houston’s Sampson quipped that it will be his staff’s “first true road game” on Sunday as a result of the loud, massive workforce of Dayton supporters who crammed the College of Charleston’s enviornment. The Flyers and Cougars are each attempting for his or her first Charleston identify. Dayton has completed 6th and 5th in two earlier appearances. This is Houston’s first time on the eight-team event.
LONG TIME COMING
These groups met handiest as soon as up to now, again in December 1982 on the Suntory Ball Tournament in Tokyo when Houston’s Phi Slama Jama used to be in complete flight. and led by way of Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler. Olajuwon had 30 issues and 18 rebounds within the 82-57 victory.
Utah and Houston may not wait every other 41 years earlier than enjoying once more. Both can be Big 12 Conference individuals subsequent season.
UP NEXT
• Following Friday’s recreation, Houston continues its keep on the Shriners Children’s Charleston Classic.
• The Cougars meet Dayton within the Shriners Children’s Charleston Championship Title Game at 7:30 p.m. (CST) Sunday. That recreation can also be noticed on ESPN.
• All Houston Men’s Basketball video games can also be heard on 950 AM KPRC and the Varsity Network app.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising marketing campaign for Houston Athletics devoted to championship luck within the Big 12 Conference.
Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win as we commence Big 12 pageant. Click here to upward push and be counted.
JOIN the 50-50-CLUB
Fans are invited to enroll in the 50-50 Club to improve Houston Men’s Basketball. 50-50 Club individuals assist fund program must haves and toughen the revel in for our student-athletes.
Fans who sign up for the 50-50 Club will obtain embroidered Jordan Brand staff attire, invites to unique occasions, common updates about this system and a lot more.
For extra information or to enroll, fanatics might talk over with uhcougars.com/5050club or click here. To sign up for the 50-50 Club, fanatics might name Cougar Pride at 713-743-GoUH (4687).
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can obtain updates by way of following @UHCougarMBK on Twitter and meet up with the newest news and notes at the staff by way of clicking LIKE at the staff’s Facebook web page at UHCougarMBK or by way of visiting the staff’s Instagram web page at UHCougarMBK.
– UHCougars.com –
—
Get ballot signals and updates on AP Top 25 basketball during the season. Sign up right here.
—
AP university basketball: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-basketball-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-basketball
[/gpt3]